PEDIATRICS Vol. 55 No. 5 May 1975, pp. 589-594
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Shannon, D. C.
Right arrow Articles by Moylan, F. M.B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Shannon, D. C.
Right arrow Articles by Moylan, F. M.B.

Prevention of Apnea and Bradycardia in Low-Birthweight Infants

Daniel C. Shannon M.D.1, Felicita Gotay M.D.1, Israel M. Stein M.D.1, Mark C. Rogers M.D.1, I. David Todres M.D.1, and Fergus M.B. Moylan M.D.1

1 Joseph S. Barr Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Service, and the Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Departments of Pediatrics and Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

The efficacy of theophylline in preventing severe apnea was evaluated in 17 low-birthweight infants (mean weight, 1,400 gm). Apnea was detected and accurately quantified by 13-hour pneumogram recordings and correlated with serum theophylline levels. Nursing observations coupled with on-line alarm systems detected only 39% of severe apneic episodes as compared to the pneumogram recording technique.

Theophylline in six hourly oral doses (1.5 to 4.0 mg/kg) yielded two-hour serum concentrations of 6.6 to 11.Oµg/ml which completely controlled apneic spells exceeding 20 seconds in duration and markedly reduced 10- 19-second apneic episodes and any resultant bradycardia. At these serum levels, toxicity was not observed.

Therapy with theophylline should be instituted at a dose of 2 to 3 mg/kg every six hours and the optimum therapeutic dose should be individualized as determined by objective quantitation of apnea and serum theophylline concentration.

Submitted on December 16, 1974
Accepted on January 17, 1975




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
J. Bauer, K. Maier, O. Linderkamp, and R. Hentschel
Effect of Caffeine on Oxygen Consumption and Metabolic Rate in Very Low Birth Weight Infants With Idiopathic Apnea
Pediatrics, April 1, 2001; 107(4): 660 - 663.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin. Chem.Home page
A. J. Pesce, M. Rashkin, and U. Kotagal
Standards of laboratory practice: theophylline and caffeine monitoring
Clin. Chem., May 1, 1998; 44(5): 1124 - 1128.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
L. L. Howell and A. M. Landrum
Effects of Chronic Caffeine Administration on Respiration and Schedule-Controlled Behavior in Rhesus Monkeys
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., October 1, 1997; 283(1): 190 - 199.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
R. R. Clancy, K. M. Kaplan, S. Baumgart, and K. R. Rosenberry
Neonatal Theophylline Neurotoxicity
Clinical Pediatrics, March 1, 1985; 24(3): 168 - 170.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
S. J. Boros and J. W. Reynolds
Prolonged Apnea of Prematurity: Treatment with Continuous Airway Distending Pressure Delivered by Nasopharyngeal Tube
Clinical Pediatrics, February 1, 1976; 15(2): 123 - 134.
[Abstract] [PDF]